After selling to tourists on cruise ships for almost 14 years, I finally decided to add my thoughts. This article is beneficial to all but the seasoned shoppers on such ports might know them already! Also, being my first such article, I am bound to not list all the points here. More will follow as I get a grip on the outcome here!
To all the cruise travellers, one major experience you encounter at destinations are the fine jewelry stores. Be it the Caribbean, Mexico or Alaska. My humble abode is Juneau, Alaska.
Why so many jewelry stores? Of course, the business is good and the tourists love them. Based on my talking and selling to customers from around the country and many parts of the world, I realise few reasons for our presence there.
To begin with, there is a huge competition to earn the tourist dollars and hence always a discount frenzy exists. The Caribbean ports of St.Thomas, St. Marteen (Dutch side), Jamaica and Aruba are well known places. In Mexico, Cancun, Cozumel and now Cabo San Lucas are popular. In Alaska, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan are excellent.
Then, the variety of designs to choose from are very very high. Also, many exotic stones are readily available. How often do you see a counter full of alexandrite, blue diamonds (irradiated), tanzanite, paraiba tourmaline, spinel, gold-n-quartz and ammolites in your hometown jewelry store?!
Since your stay on a given port is for a day only, the jewelers are more anxious than you to get a sale! Sometimes we sell at near cost. Example, gold costing $18 per gram can be sold for $20 per gram! This simply means that you hold the bargaining chip. Your offers are always welcome (although not the ridiculous ones).
Lots of advertising is done by (a few) merchants on the cruiseship. Of course, there is a fee to pay and sometimes the cruise ships get a commission. They then guarantee that your purchase away from home is safe. I, personally, have opted out of this advertising as I believe in recommendations. If your purchase proves to be bad then you'll never recommend us to others travelling to our port! The other reason is that I rather pass the savings to the customers. Less overheads, less expensive the merchandise. And there are many others who agree with this principal.
Finally, it also depends on your comfort level with a salesman/store. If you feel pushed into making a decision or feel unwelcomed, why would you buy there? This has been one area of concern in port destinations but there are a minority few who misbehave on a regular basis. However, if you trust the person behind that counter, go ahead! You do have a few safety nets in case you want a refund. Always ask the return policy. If not agreeable by you, don't buy. Credit cards are the best way to pay as your card company is interested in your business. Always insist on appraisals on major purchases. This is very crucial if you buy outside the country where laws are different.
These are a few points stated hastily (the excitement of writing my first article here!) put. I'll do my best to add on more benefits to improve your shopping experience and help you save dollars!!
tweet this!
